Dr. Yasmin Raashid advisor to PTI Chairman strongly condemned hand grenade attack on media and journalists as visible by attack on Din News, a private news channel located in Gulberg, Lahore. At least five persons, including two policemen, received injuries when two unidentified bike-riders hurled a hand grenade at Din News office she added. She said only two policemen were deployed for the security of the TV channel. The attackers attacked the ill-fated policemen and managed to escape from the scene she added. She said this was the not the first attack where media persons were attacked as Dunya TV had also been targeted previously. Despite increasing attacks on the media persons Punjab government did not take any precautionary measures she added. She said unfortunately Punjab government has failed to protect media persons. Even in provincial metropolitan media persons could not perform their duties without fear she added. She said independent journalism was vital for a free as a tool to hold the government accountable and for citizens to be informed and actively engaged. Deliberate attacks against journalists was on the rise and this violence must come to an end and the safety of media personnel should be assured at any cost she added. She also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the brutal killing of two Military official who were killed after their vehicle was fired upon by unidentified gunmen in Karachi yesterday.
PTI Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas condemned the attack on Din News office in strongest terms. It seems protection of journalists is not the priority of the Punjab government she added. She said on the Tuesday not only Din News was targeted by the terrorists on the same day two senior journalists were robbed near the Upper Mall. The robbers deprived the senior journalists of cash, mobile phones and other valuables and fled the scene easily she added. She said Punjab government has to determine the motive behind the attack on media. She demanded thorough, speedy and transparent investigation into the incident. She said targeting of media persons was on the rise in Karachi as now such incidents are also increasing in Lahore. If the police did not provide adequate security to media persons then Lahore could become more dangerous city for the journalists she added. She said besides the challenges, Pakistani journalists have done a wonderful job. Their protection should be first and foremost thing she added. She prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.